VSU Hosts Georgia Academy of Science Annual Meeting

VALDOSTA – Valdosta State University will host the 90th
annual meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science Friday, March 29 and Saturday,
March 30.

The meeting includes presentations from students at colleges
and universities across the state in all areas of science. The weekend includes
102 oral presentations and 72 poster presentations.

Senior Ryne Nimmo is among several VSU students who will
present at the annual meeting. Nimmo will deliver an oral presentation on a
15-week water quality study he conducted on three blackwater streams in the
region.

“I collected samples from the Withlacoochee River, Piscola
Creek and Okapilco Creek and did testing on things like pH, temperature and
oxygen levels,” said Nimmo. “This study is relevant became groundwater is the
source for most drinking water and is used to grow crops and transport
materials downstream. The findings give us an understanding of how runoff pollution affects our water.”

Nimmo was assisted in his study by Angela Bray of the Southern Georgia
Regional Commission and Georgia Adopt-A-Stream volunteer water monitoring
program.

Nimmo is a geoscience major, focusing on hydrology and water
quality. For him, the annual meeting provides a platform to showcase his work
and learn about other areas of science.

“This is the most formal presentation that I have done so I
am excited and nervous,” said Nimmo. “However, it is quite an honor to present
because everyone is not selected to do so. I see this as a good opportunity to
show everyone in the geoscience field and the community of environmental study
what I am made of.”

Nimmo added that his immediate plans after graduating include
joining the Peace Corps and studying water quality in underdeveloped countries
before pursuing a career in hydrology.

In addition to physical and life sciences, the annual
meeting will include presentations in anthropology, philosophy, science
education and the history of science. Guest speakers include Dr. Paul Richard
Carney, professor of pediatrics, neurology, neuroscience and biomedical
engineering at the University of Florida, and Dr. Felicia Coleman, director of
the Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory and expert on the
ecology of reef fishes and the impacts of fishing on the structure of fish
populations.

“This is a great place for students to present their work,
see the work of other students and explore different sciences,” said Dr. Donald
Thieme, assistant professor of geoscience at VSU. “I encourage students to
attend the meeting and become exposed to different areas of science that they
are not familiar with. Students are specifically encouraged to attend the
Friday speaker’s presentation free of charge.”

Organized
in 1922 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1953, the Georgia
Academy of Science promotes science education and fosters scientific research in the
state of Georgia. Membership in is open to anyone engaged in scientific
work or an interest in the purposes of the academy. Information concerning registration for the
meeting or membership in the academy can be found at www.gaacademy.org .